Chapter Text
It doesn’t take long before Sally rejoins them - fortunately with the good news that everything looks safe and nothing seems suspicious. She looks visibly relieved to find Teddy back on his feet and far less shaken.
Together, they make their way to their gate. Beyond security, things are noticeably calmer and less crowded, as most people without valid tickets never made it this far. On the one hand, Jonathan feels for those left behind - especially after seeing just how desperate many of them were - but on the other, he’s grateful not to be surrounded by a heaving mass of people anymore. Safety through obscurity or not, a situation like that would drive just about anyone to the brink of madness sooner or later.
The Brits eyes catch on every departures board they pass. He can’t - and won’t - fully trust the calm. So far, everything has gone almost too smoothly for his liking. Not that he’d ever complain, but he knows how reality works, and in operations like this, something usually goes wrong.
At the same time, he scans every corner, just as Sally does, searching for anything out of place. To his relief, everything genuinely seems quiet - normal, given the circumstances.
When the three of them finally reach their gate, a few dozen people are already waiting on the seats. A reassuring sight, Jonathan thinks. Just enough people to blend in and not stand out, but not enough to form another chaotic, overwhelming crowd.
A small group has gathered around the departures screen. Clearly, they aren’t the only ones half-expecting their flight to be cancelled at any moment. Thankfully, as Jonathan confirms with a careful glance, that hasn’t happened - at least not yet.
Jonathan and Teddy drop into two seats infront of a closed drinks stand with a quiet, synchronised sigh. Sally remains standing for the moment, keeping an eye on their surroundings.
“How are you doing?” Jonathan whispers, leaning slightly towards Teddy and placing a hand on his thigh. The Colombian may be holding it together for now, but Jonathan doesn’t want to risk things spiralling again.
Teddy looks at him and gives a brief nod before turning his gaze back to the people in the waiting area.
Jonathan takes the hint and doesn’t press further. Clearly, Teddy has no interest in reflecting on his emotional state right now - and, truth be told, Jonathan understands. Still, he leaves his hand where it is, whether as reassurance or to make sure he notices if Teddy’s mood shifts again.
Time drifts by. Jonathan and Teddy sit in silence while Sally paces up and down the rows every few minutes. Even if she tries not to show it, Jonathan can tell how tense she is. It’s still quiet - and that’s slowly driving all of them mad.
Gradually, more people arrive at the gate. Jonathan observes each of them as discreetly as possible. It’s quieter than a normal airport would be. Everyone seems to be holding their breath in some way, hoping things will go smoothly.
At some point, Sally finally drops into the seat beside Jonathan. “I’ve never hated waiting this much in my life,” she mutters.
“I’d almost rather be back out there in the streets,” the Brit nods. “At least we had something to do instead of sitting here.”
Sally hums in agreement. “How’s your arm?” she asks, nodding towards his other side.
Only then does Jonathan remember his injury. With the constant tension and pressure, he’d practically forgotten about it. The wound still feels unpleasant, and a dull ache lingers, but all things considered, it could be far worse. Teddy did a good job with the bandage.
“It shouldn’t cause any major problems,” the man replies.
“That’s good,” Sally says, then lets her gaze drift past him. “And what about him?”
Jonathan follows her line of sight and turns towards Teddy. The man sits staring into space, completely lost in thought, seemingly unaware of the conversation beside him.
Jonathan’s eyes fall to the Columbain’s arm, also wrapped in white bandages. A flicker of guilt passes through him. Not only had he forgotten his own injury, but Teddy’s as well. From what he can see, though, the cut doesn’t appear to have bled much.
“Everything alright?” Sally asks from Jonathan’s other side, clearly noticing Teddy’s distraction.
Jonathan gently presses his hand against the mans thigh. “Hey, Teddy?”
That seems to snap him out of it. He flinches slightly, blinking a few times before his gaze drops to Jonathan’s hand, lingering there for a second before he finally looks up, brows furrowed in confusion.
“Is your wound alright?” Sally repeats, tilting her head slightly.
As if recalling what happened in the car only hours ago, Teddy studies the bandage and turns his arm slightly. Then he nods. “Sí, all good. It’s not that bad.”
Another question sits on Jonathan’s tongue. He’d love to know what Teddy had been thinking - what’s going on in his head. He can’t even begin to imagine what it looks like in there right now, and that unsettles him more than he’d care to admit.
It’s obvious that Teddy is the one most affected by everything that’s happened, and Jonathan wants to help - wants to make things even a little easier for him. At the same time, he knows this isn’t the right moment for personal questions. He barely knows the man beside him, and that kind of guardedness isn’t something Teddy will just drop overnight.
So Jonathan settles for what he has and turns his attention back to their surroundings. He’s lost count of how many times he’s scanned the departures board. Their flight is still scheduled. Thankfully.
A quick glance at a clock tells him boarding should begin in about thirty minutes. He hopes - desperately - that nothing goes wrong before then and that things stay as calm as they are now.
Then, suddenly, Sally tenses beside him.
Jonathan notices immediately and follows her gaze. The second he sees what she’s looking at, his breath catches and his stomach drops.
Three men have just turned the corner.
They’re dressed inconspicuously - nothing about them would stand out to an untrained eye. But Sally had been watching closely, and she’s clearly picked up on the way they scan the crowd. It’s subtle, almost deliberately so, but Jonathan sees it too - their eyes moving over every person as they approach.
His heart begins to pound.
Shit. This can’t be happening.
Sally and Jonathan exchange a brief glance, silently confirming what they’re both thinking. There’s little doubt now - they’re facing exactly the one scenario they’d been hoping to avoid.
Jonathan forces himself to stay calm as he turns to Teddy. The worst thing they could do right now is panic and draw attention. So far, they haven’t been spotted - that still gives them a few precious seconds to come up with a plan.
“Teddy, don’t react. Look at those three men over there. Do you recognise them?” Jonathan whispers, barely nodding in their direction.
Teddy glances that way and sharply inhales. He seems to grasp the situation immediately.
“No,” he murmurs. “I’ve never seen them before.”
Jonathan isn’t sure whether that’s good or bad. More importantly, he has no idea what they should do next.
“Do we take cover?” Sally murmurs, scanning the area discreetly, clearly searching for somewhere to hide. The drinks stand beside them is the only option - and standing up now would draw immediate attention.
The men are getting closer. Still watching. Still searching.
Jonathan thinks - but comes up blank. The situation feels hopeless.
“Matthew?” Teddy whispers, panic creeping into his voice.
Jonathan wishes he had something to say. A plan. A way out. But the men are less than fifty metres away now. Any second, they’ll be spotted - and then it’s over. They have no weapons. Hardly any way to defend themselves.
Just as Jonathan braces for everything to descend into chaos - running through their options one last time, each more useless than the last - a sharp, piercing scream suddenly cuts through the hall.
He flinches.
The three men’s heads snap towards the sound. In an instant, all attention shifts to a crying baby, wailing at the top of its lungs.
Sally and Jonathan recognise the opportunity at the same time.
They jump to their feet - Jonathan yanks Teddy up with him - and they slip behind the drinks stand as quickly as possible.
The baby is still crying. Loud. Desperate. Jonathan’s heart pounds just as loudly in his ears. Still, he forces himself to stay aware.
From their position, they have no line of sight. No idea where the men are. All they can see is a wall three meters infront of them.
“Did they see us?” Sally whispers, barely audible over the crying.
“No idea,” Jonathan replies just as quietly, glancing at Teddy beside him.
They have no choice but to wait.
And hope.
Jonathan starts counting the seconds in his head.
13, 14…
If they’d been spotted, they wouldn’t still be alone.
Unless it’s a trick - to lure them out. The men don’t know whether they’re still armed.
18, 19…
The crying begins to fade - probably the child’s mother moving away.
22, 23, 24…
Jonathan listens for footsteps. Nothing.
After about forty seconds, Teddy nudges him. “I don’t think they saw us.”
“We shouldn’t be too sure,” Sally murmurs. Jonathan silently agrees.
Another full minute passes. Nothing happens. No one rounds the corner. No footsteps. No voices. Just the low hum of the airport.
Jonathan’s heartbeat begins to slow.
Maybe Teddy’s right.
As if reading his thoughts, Sally crawls towards the edge of the stand. “I’ll take a look. Be ready to run or fight.”
Jonathan and Teddy both hold their breath as she leans out for no more than two seconds, scanning the seating area.
Jonathan braces for the worst.
But she pulls back - no gunshots, no commotion - and turns to them.
“Well?” Teddy asks immediately, his eyes darting.
“I don’t see anyone,” Sally whispers, leaning back against the rear of the stand.
Jonathan exhales, dropping his head for a moment. That’s good. Very good.
Then reality catches up with him again. He looks at Sally. “They could still be around. We should stay hidden as long as possible - just to be sure.”
She nods in agreement and sighs barely audible. “I’ll be bloody grateful when we’re finally on that plane.”
Jonathan doesn‘t answer. He‘s still listening.